April 17, 2008

Philippines disperses 3 million tilapia fingerlings to boost fish supply

The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has dispersed more than 3 million tilapia fingerlings into freshwater farms and fishponds in Cagayan Valley.

The recent project is part of the Philippine government's move to strengthen its food stability programme.

Jovita Ayson, BFAR director for Cagayan Valley, said the dispersal of these fingerlings was made during the first quarter of 2008. 

The latest dispersal does not include the 1.45 million fingerlings provided within the same period for emergency rehabilitation assistance for fishers affected by recent calamities, the BFAR clarified.

Under its Goal One programme, the agency provides free tilapia fingerlings for new production zones such as newly constructed fishponds and fish cages.

Aside from releasing fingerlings, BFAR also provides free seed inputs for other species such as saline-tolerant tilapia, red tilapia, carp, bangus and oyster which are expected to bring out augmentation supply for the general fish sufficiency programme in the region.